Level winder



Feb. 1, 1944.

s. M. STONE ETAL LEVEL WINDER Filed July 2. 1942 Caz/'2 61135565 WW? 223 Sheets-Sheet 1 V Samzzei JIZ 5125726 3 ,060

Feb. 1, 1944.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 no Z M m 0% 1944- s. M. STONE ETAL 2,340,436

' LEVEL WINDER Filed July 2. 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Feb. 1, 1944LEVEL WINDER Samuel M. Stone, River Forest, and Carl S. Bates, Chicago,Ill., assignors, by mesne assignments, of seven-eighths to Stone WheelInc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois, and one-eighth to CarlS. Bates Application July 2, 1942, Serial No. 449,440

18 Claims.

This invention relates to a level winder and more particularly to alevel winder for the winding drums of winches and the like.

A primary object of the invention is the provision of improved apparatusadapted to be associated with a winding drum and providing for levellyand-evenly winding a cable or the like around the drum with each layerof the wound cable properly and evenly disposed upon a preceding layerof wound coils.

A further object is the provision of such apparatus which may be mountedindependently of its associated drum and is readily applicable toexisting winches, hoists and the like.

A further object is the provision of a level winder that is readilyadjustable to drums of different widths and cables of different sizes.

A still further object is the provision of a level winder in which theload on a cable guide is distributed over a plurality of spaced drivingmembers whereby eifective leverage is maintained on the cable guideagainst distortional strain of the cable load.

Still another object is the provision of a level winder having aswivelly mounted cable guide head and a plurality of spaced, parallel,synchronously moving, endless chain members for carrying and driving theguide head.

A further object is the provision of a new and improved sectional framestructure for supporting a level winding apparatus.

These and other objects and advantages will be apparent from thefollowing description, the appended claims and the accompanyingdrawings, which illustrate a selected embodiment of the invention, andin which: i

' Fig. 1 is a plan view of a winding drum having a level winderconstructed in accordance with the present invention associatedtherewith;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; a

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view taken at the left-hand side of Figs. 1and 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; and VFig. 6 is a sectional detail taken along the lm 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral l0 designates thewinding drum of a winch or the like. The drum l0 comprises a cylindricaldrum portion II and a pair of side or end flanges l2, and is rotatablysupported in suitable bearing members. notshown, by means of outwardlyex! tending shafts l3 and IA. The winding drum is adapted to be rotatedby any suitable power means, also not shown, to effect the winding ofacable l5 or the like upon the drum portion ll between the flanges l2.

A level winder designated generally by the reference numeral I6 isassociated with the drum I 0 adjacent its forward side and provides forlevelly and evenly winding the cable I5 on the drum with each successivelayer of the wound cable properly and evenly disposed upon a precedinglayer of wound coils.

In accordance with the present invention the level winder l6 comprises aswivelly mounted guide head ll, a carrier l8 for supporting the guidehead, and a plurality of spacer driving members IQ for moving thecarrier l8 and head I! through a predetermined orbital path. In theillustrated embodiment two such driving members l9 are shown and eachcomprises an endless roller chain having rollers 20 pivotally connectedtogether by links 2 l.

I The entire level winding mechanism is carried by a structural mainframe structure which ex-- tends longitudinally of the drum l0 and comprises a pair of end sections 22 and 23 and one or more intermediatesections 24, as best shown in Fig. 2. The main frame is thus adjustableto winding drums of different widths by merely inserting a desirednumber and length of intermediate sections 24 between the end sections22 and 23. Only one intermediate section 24 is shown in the drawings,but any desired number of such sections may be employed to obtain thedesired length of frame as hereinafter described.

As best shown in Fig. 5 each of the main frame sections, including theintermediate section or sections, comprises upper and lowersubstantially I-shaped sections 25 joined together by webs 26andstrengthening ribs 27. The variousiend and intermediate sections ofthe main frame are united into a rigid unitary structure by means offour channel members 28 which extend longitudinally of the framesections and engage about.

the upper and lower I-shaped portions 25 of the frame sections at eachside thereof. The re spective upper and lower channels 28 are rigidlyclamped to the respective frame sections by bolts 29 which extendthrough suitable openings provided in the channels and the I-shapedportions of the frame sections. The channels 28 and bolts 29 thusprovide a rigid frame'structureand at the same time provide for readilyadjusting the length of the frame by permitting the insertion Thus theend sections 22 and 23 may be properly adjusted with respect to theintermediate section or sections. The main frame is maintained in itsproper adjusted length by means of adjusting screws 3| which arethreaded into upwardly and downwardly extending lugs 32 provided on theend sections 22 and 23, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The adjusting screws3| have heads 33 which engage against cooperating lugs 34 attached tothe intermediate frame section 24, and

a locking nut 35 maintains the screws in proper adjusted position.

The end sections 22 and 23 also include downwardly extending portions orfeet 38 and 31 which provide a support for the main frame. Thesupporting portions 35 and 31 are adapted to be mounted on any suitablebase member, such as the channel 38, which maybe entirely independent ofthe base for the Winding drum l0, whereby the level winder is applicableto existing winches and the like. Each of the end sections 22 and 23also includes vertically extending bearing portions 39 in which shafts40 and ll having upper and lower sprockets d2 fixed thereto arerotatably mounted.

Each of the end sections 22 and 23 of the main frame also includesupwardly and downwardly extending bosses upon which idler sprockets 43are rotatably mounted by means of bolts 44. The intermediate framesection 2d likewise includes upwardly and downwardly extending bossesupon which idler sprockets 6-5 are rotatably mounted by means of boltsd5. If more than one intermediate section is used, each of. thesesections preferably includes an idler sprocket 45. The driving chains l9train around the respective upper and lower sprockets 42, 43 and i andthe relative sizes of these sprockets are so coordinated that thecarrier l8 for the guide head will travel around the end sprockets d2 ata desired speed.

The carrier l8 for supporting the guide head comprises an elongatedplate member '41 which extends vertically between the driving chains 19and is attached to each of these chain members, thereby to effectivelysupport the guide head against distortional strain of the cable load.jAs best shownin Figs. 3 and 5 the carrier plate 4'! is .provided withinwardly extending lugs 48 which project over and under the links 2| ofthe chain members IE3. The carrier plate 41 is operatively attached tothe chain members I9 by means of pins 49 which form extensions of thepins for pivotally connecting the chain links 2| with the rollers 20. Toprevent rotation of the carrier l8 aboutits connection with the chainmembers |9, the plate 41 is preferably of such width that the lugs 48are connected to two adjacent pins 49 forming the connection between alink 2| and rollers 20 as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The guide head Comprises a pair of vertically extending shafts 5|! and5| which, as above described, provide a swivelly mounted cable guideupon the carrier l8. The shaft 5E) is rigidly mounted in the upper endof the carrier plate 4'! and may be integral therewith as illustratedsize as to properly receive and guide the cable t5 therebetween, and arefreely rotatable on the shafts 5e and 5|. Thus as the head I1 is movedabout the traverse of the chains IS, the cable i5 is guided freely alongthe length or width of the drum lo, and the sheaves 51 are adapted tomove upwardly as each succeeding layer of the cable is Wound upon thedrum.

The downwardly extending foot portion 36 of r the end section 22 alsoincludes an arm 58 which projects outwardly beneath the bearing portion39. This arm 58 supports a housing 59 within which a worm drive for theshaft) is operatively mounted. As illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, theworm drive comprises a worm wheel 60 attached to a downwardly extendingportion of the shaft 4|! and a worm 6| mounted upon a shaft 62 rotatablycarried by the housing 59. A spocket 53 is attached to the shaft 62 andis operatively connected to the winding drum ||l by means of a chain '84which extends about a sprocket 55 fixed to the drum shaft l4.

During the travel of the carrier l8 and guide head along the backreaches of the chains l9, the plate 4'! of the carrier is preferablygiven additional guiding support by means of'a guide plate 65, Figs. 1and 3, which extends along the rear side of the winder parallel to thechains I 8. The guide plate 56. may be in the form of a channel member61, as shown, t give it additional rigidity and is positionedintermediate the upper and lower driving chains| 9. Anysuitable meanssuch as upwardlyextending brackets "65 may be provided for supportingthe *guide plate 66 on the base member 38.

A level winder is thus provided which is adapted to *be applied to anyexisting winch or thelike and which provides for levellyandevenlywinding a cable 'orthe like upon a winding'drum. The guide headfor the cable is so "supported by the plurality of spaced endless chainmembers as to prevent -distor-tion thereof under the cable load. Theswivelly mounted guide head to gether with the rotatably andslidably'moun-t'ed sheaves 57 provide for freely feeding the cable tothe drum. The sectional main frame together with the adjusting screws 3|provide for adjust ing the level winder to drums of any desired width orlength. The winder .may be readilyadjusjted to any desired cable size bymerely changing the drive sprockets B3 and|i5 andthe Il'guide sheaves5?. The sprockets -53 and55 are easily removed and the guide sheaves 51are readily changed by merely unscrewing the locking nuts "54' 'and'56.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the.parts 'w'ithout departing from the spirit of the'invent'ionor'sacrificing any of its advantages, and therig'ht is hereby reservedto make-all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of thefollowing claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A level winder for awind-ingdrum-comprising "a main frame a pluralityof spaced parallel endless members carried-by said main frame formovement through a predetermined orbital path, a carrier memberattaehed-to said-plurality of endless mentbersfor movement there with,and a guide member for a cable or the'like mounted upon said carriermember.

2'. A level winder for a winding drum comprising a main frame, aplurality of spaced'parallel endless members carried by said main framefor movement through a predetermined orbital path,

a carrier member attached to said plurality of.

endless members for movement therewith, and a self aligning guide memberfor a cable or the likeswivelly mounted upon said carriermember.

3. A level winder for a winding drum comprsing a main frame, a pluralityof spaced parallel endless members: carried by said main frame formovement through a predetermined orbital path, each of said endlessmembers comprising an endless chain, a carrier member attached to saidplurality of endless membersfor movement therewith, and a selfaligningguidemember for a cable or the like swivelly mounted upon said carriermember.

4. A level winder fora winding drum comprising a main frame, a pluralityof spaced parallel endless members carried by said main frame formovement through a predetermined orbital path, a carrier member attachedto said plurality of endless members for movement therewith, and a selfaligning guide member for a cable or the like swivelly mounted upon saidcarrier member, said guide member comprising a pair of parallel shaftsand rotatable guide,

sheaves slidably mounted upon each. .of said af s, I I s 5. A levelwinder for a winding drum comprising a main frame, a plurality of spacedparallel endless members carried by said main frame for movement througha predetermined orbital path, a carrier member attached to saidplurality of endless members for movement therewith, a self aligningguide member for a cable or the like swivelly mounted upon said carriermember, and means for synchronously driving said endless members fromsaid winding drum.

6. A level winder for a winding drum comprising a main frame, aplurality of spaced parallel endless members carried by said main framefor movement through a predetermined orbital path, a carrier memberattached to said plurality of endless members for movement therewith, aself aligning guide member for a. cable or the like swivelly mountedupon said carrier member, means for supporting said main frameindependently of the support for said winding drum, and means includinga sprocket and chain for synchronously driving said endless members fromsaid winding drum.

7. A level winder for a winding drum comprising a main frame, aplurality of spaced parallel endless members carried by said main framefor movement through a predetermined orbital path, a carrier memberattached to said plurality of endless members for movement therewith, aself aligning guide member for a cable or the like swivelly mounted uponsaid carrier member, each of said endless members comprising a chainhaving rollers pivotally connected together by connecting links, andsaid carrier member being attached to each of said chains by a pair ofpivot pins connecting two of said rollers with one of said links.

8. A level winder for a winding drum comprising a main frame, aplurality of spaced parallel endless members carried by said main framefor movement through a predetermined orbital path, a carrier memberattached to said plupath, a carrier member attached to said plu ralityof endless members for movementrtherewith, a self aligning guide-memberfora cable; or the like swivelly mounted upon saidcarrier member, saidframe comprising a plurality of separate sections detachably connected,togeth er, and means for adjusting the distance between a plurality ofsaid frame sections to varythe length of theframe. y

10, In a level winder of the character de scribed, a sectional mainframe comprising a pair of end sections adapted to have one or moreintermediate sections clamped therebetween to,

vary the length of the frame, means including a plurality oflongitudinally extending channel members, for uniting said end sectionsand. a desired number of intermediate sections into fa rigid framestructure, and means for adjusting the spacing between said end sectionsand, at least one intermediate section,

11. In a;level winder, of the characterjde -r scribed, a' sectional mainfrarnecomprising a,

pair of end sections adapted to have one or more intermediate sectionsclamped therebetween to vary the length of the frame, means for unitingsaid end sections and a desired number of in-- termediate sectionslnto arigid frame structure,.

and at least one of said end sections including;

a bearing member for supporting a drive shaft,

having spaced sprockets attached thereto.

12. In a level winder of the character de-- scribed, a sectional mainframe comprising a pair of end sections adapted to have one or moreintermediate sections clamped therebetween to vary the length of theframe, means for uniting said end sections and a desired number ofintermediate sections into the rigid frame structure, at least one ofsaid end sections including a bearing member supporting a drive shafthaving spaced sprockets attached thereto, worm drive means for saiddrive shaft carried by said one end section, and means including asprocket and chain for driving said worm drive means.

13. In a level winder of the character described, a sectional main framecomprising a pair of end sections adapted to have one Or moreintermediate sections clamped therebetween to vary the length of theframe, means for uniting said end sections and a desired number ofintermediate sections into a rigid frame structure, each of said endsections including a bearing member for supporting a shaft having spacedsprockets attached thereto, and a plurality of spaced idler sprocketscarried by each of said end sections interiorly of said first namedsprockets.

14. In a level winder of the character described, a sectional main framecomprising a pair of end sections adapted to have one or moreintermediate sections clamped therebetween to vary the length of theframe, means for uniting said end sections and a desired number ofintermediate sections into a rigid frame structure, each of said endsections including a bearing memher for supporting a shaft: hawinespaceda sproelce et attachedtheretm a plurality'oi: spaced idlersprocketscarriedbmeach-oti' said end; sections interiorlyofisaidizfirst,named sprockets; andaaplu rallty -of spaced idlersprockets carried by each trolling; the; path of movement" of saidchainsand=the carrier member-attached thereto.

1-6. A level winderfoxa, winding-drum comprising a mainframe, a--plurality of spaced parallel endless chains carried by saidmain framefor" movement through apredetermined orbital patha carrier memberattached to said plurality; of endl'esschains for-movement therewith, aself-T aligned guide member for a. cable or-thelike; swivelly mountedupon: said carrier memher; and means including a plurality ofidlersprockets' and a, longitudinally extending guide railforcontrollingthe path ofmovement of said chains and the carrier member"attached theretm r 17. A, level Winder for a winding drum comprising a:Ina-inframe having a: plurality of separate sections providingforvarying the lengthof agaamaae I a pair of spaced-s parallel:endlesswchainscarried by: saida'main framefor movement through: a

' predetermined? orbital path, a. carrier member extending transversely:of: said pair 01% chains; meansiforr rigid-lyattaching. saidtlcanriermember to each-.ofilsaidi chains; alsel-fi' allgnedaguidez mamber. iona, cable-V the: likeaswivellyl mounted: upon: said: carrier; said?guidemember including: a:, pair:- of parallel: shafts; and: 2,! pair ofsheaves rotatably: andgslidably mountedi upon said shaits, drive meansfor; synchronously: operating.- saidi chains carried by oneof said'framesections, and means: for driving said drive means from: saidwinding drumi 18a In at level: winderot the character d'e scribed; aplurality: of endless members mov able through an orbital? path, acarrier membernigidly= attachedto said plurality of endl'esszmemhere formovement therewith, and a. guide member' for a cablemrthe like mountedupon said carrier member, saidguide member comprising an shaft extendingoutwardly from saidcarrier member, a second shat-t parallel to saidfirstnamed shaft; a pair of spaced plate members at tached: to-said secondshaft and pivotally mounted upon said firstnamedshaft, a pair of sheavesretatably and slidably mounted upon said shafts between said platemembers; and means" for detachably' maintaining saidplate-- members andsaid sheaves uponsaid'shafts;

SAMUEL M., STONE: CARD S; BATES.

